3019 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

3019 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: How many expressions of interest, if any, have been received to date for the West Coast rural hospital medicine and specialist GP training programme?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised there is no formal expression of interest process for the West Coast Rural Hospital Medicine or specialist GP training programmes. Recruitment occurs through the national annual recruitment cycle, where registrars apply for available runs, including those on the West Coast. Applicants for these runs have now commenced their placements for 2026. For GP training, interest typically comes from current staff or through the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners processes rather than through an expression of interest.